Is a Sterling model better than stingray?

Buzter · #1 02-10-2013, 05:55 PM

Seems to me that the sterling will do what the stingray does and then some. You can switch from series, parallel, and single coil. Why arent they more popular then???

beardedclam · #2 02-10-2013, 05:58 PM

The alnico magnets in the Stigray have a sweeter tone to my ears than the ceramic Sterling.

snyderz · #3 02-10-2013, 06:10 PM

I prefer the neck and body weight of the Sterling, but the tone of the Stingray. I prefer my SB-2 over both of them.

jlepre · #4 02-10-2013, 06:11 PM

They are just different. Why would they be manufactured if they were going after the same tone? I agree that the ST has a more cutting tone than the SR. That's not to say that each can't sit very well in a mix.

The ST has a more thin JAZZ-like neck, whereas the SR is more PBASS-like.

**FellowBass** · #5 02-10-2013, 06:12 PM

I adore my Sterling. I would like to own a Stingray as well one day.

**hsech** · #6 02-10-2013, 06:26 PM

That's like comparing a Fender American Standard against a Standard PBass.

Caca de Kick · #7 02-10-2013, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hsech

That's like comparing a Fender American Standard against a Standard PBass.

You're confusing yourself. The OP wasn't comparing the budget line to the US line.
The OP was asking about the Sterling Bass against the StingRay Bass.
Well, ceramic pickups vs alnico pickups, and different preamp.

boristhespider9 · #8 02-10-2013, 08:58 PM

Stingray Slo Special -- the best of both worlds.

1954bassman · #9 02-10-2013, 09:02 PM

I perfer Sterlings due to the lighter, smaller body, slimmer neck, and the "oil" (?) finish on the back of the neck. All these reasons are mostly due to me getting older, and my body wearing out.

I have never owned a Stingray, so I cannot comment on sonic differences.

Ian Perge · #10 02-10-2013, 09:14 PM

*ahem*Bongo!*ahem*

Epitaph04 · #11 02-10-2013, 09:24 PM

I still don't know how people say Sterling's have a more cutting tone than Stingrays. Every Stingray I've played has had a bitier tone than the Sterling 5 I had.

Don't get me started with Bongos.

**Mojo8ass** · #12 02-10-2013, 09:24 PM

I've owned both models and to my ears the Sterling cuts through the mix of a band a little better than the stingray. I also much prefer the neck on the sterling.
Just my opinion!

Cheers

redhed · #13 02-10-2013, 09:32 PM

Nothing sounds like a STINGRAY to me, but then again I love everything MusicMan!

LullFreak2 · #14 02-10-2013, 09:51 PM

I vote stingray , mine has the perfect tone and plays like a dream . It could be a fit issue but the stingray fits me better . A-B them and get what ya like better . I like the Ray better .

BrandonBass · #15 02-10-2013, 09:55 PM

Why is it more popular? Because Louis Johnson, Paul denman, and especially Flea played in back in the days as their main bass.

It is like how I reckon the SG would be much more popular now had Slash played one in the 80s instead of Les Paul.

pbass6811 · #16 02-10-2013, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo8ass

I've owned both models and to my ears the Sterling cuts through the mix of a band a little better than the stingray. I also much prefer the neck on the sterling.
Just my opinion!

Cheers

I've owned both also, and, though I kind of prefer the Sterling body, I much prefer the StingRay tone. To MY ears, the 'Ray seems to punch through any mix, whereas the Sterling sits in a really good spot. If you play funk or slap, a 'Ray is probably a better choice, although I know there are some funk monsters doing their thing on a Sterling. Nothing wrong with either one. For what it's worth, my 'Ray is a 5HH.

To the OP-Your original post made it sound like you thought that the Sterling has the coil selecting lever and the StingRay doesn't? I'm sure you know that's not the case...the only 'Rays that DON'T have the coil selector are the Classic Series and the Classic Sterlings don't have it either...

Enjoy whichever one you end up with!

pringlw · #17 02-10-2013, 10:14 PM

I prefer Syerlings both for the thinner neck but also for the more snarled, aggressive tone. I wouldn't call it better in terms of cutting through - they are both great for that. But it is certainly more growly.

hotrodjohn · #18 02-10-2013, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbass6811

To the OP-Your original post made it sound like you thought that the Sterling has the coil selecting lever and the StingRay doesn't? I'm sure you know that's not the case...the only 'Rays that DON'T have the coil selector are the Classic Series and the Classic Sterlings don't have it either...

Enjoy whichever one you end up with!

Also the non-classic 4 string Stingray single pickup H config does not have a selector, but the 5 string does.

**cfsporn** · #19 02-10-2013, 10:24 PM

If I could have a Sterling with a Stingray neck, I'd be in heaven. Since they don't, I'd have to choose the Sterling.

pbass6811 · #20 02-10-2013, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrodjohn

Also the non-classic 4 string Stingray single pickup H config does not have a selector, but the 5 string does.

Oh yeah. That's true...